The 21 best things to do in Uluṟu

It's lights, camera and serious action as the Red Centre morphs into a delicate and huge web of glowing colours each night at the Field of Light. Designed by renowned British artist Bruce Munro, this dazzling light spectacle is currently the largest of its kind to date. As dusk falls, the dark desert becomes a canvas for 50,000 swaying, solar-powered spindles of light, which twinkle like the night sky. It’s a truly once-in-a-lifetime art experience set in a once-in-a-lifetime destination.  

Time Out tip: The Field of Light has been extended until the end of 2029, giving you more time to tick it off your bucket list. 

When it comes to once-in-a-lifetime meals, it’s hard to top Sounds of Silence, Australia's first under-the-stars dining experience. Set in the heart of the Australian desert with spectacular views of Uluṟu at sunset, guests will enjoy a beautiful three-course bush tucker-inspired buffet with premium Australian wines and beers. The evening becomes even more magical with a didgeridoo performance and a star talk that brings the twinkling night sky to life. 

Time Out tip: We recommend booking the Field of Light Dinner experience, which pairs the Sounds of Silence dinner with the unforgettable Field of Light light installation.

Arguably one of Australia’s most spectacular and famous walks, the ten-kilometre Uluṟu Base Walk allows you to fully appreciate the immensity and wonder of the mammoth red rock and sacred Aṉangu Country. Start in the early morning and follow the shade around the monolith by walking clockwise. The ancient landscape around Uluṟu is highly diverse, encompassing acacia woodlands and claypans, and dotted with cascading waterholes and rock art paintings. You will pass several important cultural sites that are part of the Tjukurpa (creation stories), so make sure to respect the restrictions on photography. 

Time Out tip: Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park runs free, daily, ranger-guided tours that follow the Mala Walk along the base of Uluru through to Kantji Gorge waterfall. Along the way, you’ll learn how Uluṟu and Kata Tjuṯa formed, admire rock art, and hear Tjutkurpa (creation stories) of the rock formations.

Once dubbed the best place to see the sunset in the world, Uluṟu's skies are just as spectacular as its rocky flanks. Park up at Uluṟu’s Car Sunset Viewing Area and you’ll be in full view of the western surface, where a reaction between the mineral particles in the sandstone and the sun’s rays reflects hues of yellow, pink, deep red and fluorescent orange. An Uluṟu sunset is nothing short of breathtaking – it’s no wonder watching it is a bucket-lister for many domestic and international travellers.

Time Out tip: Arrive 60 to 90 minutes before sunset to secure a prime spot, as the viewing area gets super busy!

The siren call of the great red north just got even louder, with the unveiling of an all-new, immersive Indigenous art experience in mid-2024. Sunrise Journeys illuminates the talents of three Anangu artists, who have collaborated on a bespoke dot painting that tells the story of their deep connection to culture and Country. The vast desert landscape of Uluṟu and Kata Tjuṯa will become a living canvas, with their artwork recreated on the dusty red sands before sunrise using cutting-edge laser and light projection. Accompanied by natural soundscapes and the artists' narration, this breathtaking display unfolds against the backdrop of Uluru at sunrise. Pure magic!

Time Out tip: Early morning temperatures can be cool, so wear or bring a light jacket.

Audible gasps are aplenty as 1,200 drones light up the desert night sky for Uluṟu’s most breathtaking spectacle, Wintjiri Wiru. Created in close collaboration with the local Anangu community, this immersive cultural storytelling experience uses cutting-edge lasers and light projections to share an ancient story of one of the world’s oldest living cultures. It’s a mesmerising display, marking the first time a show of this kind and magnitude has been performed regularly anywhere in the world.  

Time Out tip: Pack a jumper to keep warm during the show, as it gets cool once the sun drops – though blankets are also provided.

Acknowledgement: As custodians of the land, Anangu hold the Mala story from Kaltukatjara to Uluru. To share their story, Ramus designed and produced an artistic platform using drones, light and sound to create an immersive storytelling experience.

Aboriginal art is no one thing. It’s as varied as the colours of a desert sunset, each creation holding its own cultural significance. Located in the heart of town, the Gallery of Central Australia showcases art from more than 25 art centres in the Central Desert Region. In addition to dot paintings, GoCA exhibits textiles, wood carvings, jewellery and other handcrafted items that you can purchase as a memento of your time in Uluru. It’s worth joining the daily guided tours at 10.30am to learn more about the creation stories behind each artwork.

Time Out tip: Eager for more? You can also explore Mulgara Gallery (located in the foyer of Sails in the Desert), or Wintjiri Art Gallery and Maruku Arts (both located at the park’s Cultural Centre). 

To mark its 40th birthday in 2025, Ayers Rock Resort launched a gorgeous Indigenous-inspired high tea (our Travel & News Editor Melissa Woodley reckons it’s among the best in Australia). After a big day of exploring, you can relax with 1.5 hours of unlimited tea by Indigenous-owned Blak Brews – from the zesty Desert Sunrise sencha tea to a Kakadu Sunset black tea. Then, indulge in a three-tiered tower of treats celebrating native ingredients. We recommend starting with the savoury petit fours, including barramundi and lemon aspen tarts, and prosciutto and brie finger sandwiches. Save room for our favourite: lemon myrtle scones with quandong jam and cream, and finish on a sweet note with a saltbush caramel Tim Tam, finger lime almond tart and more.

Time Out tip: Why not swap your late lunch for high tea? You’ll want to come hungry as there’s lots of food to enjoy. Seatings are available daily from 2pm to 4pm.

Early birds are in for a real treat with Desert Awakenings, an unforgettable sunrise experience in the heart of the Red Centre. After being picked up from your hotel, you’ll be whisked away to a private sunrise viewing spot, where the starry night sky gradually transitions from dark blue into a symphony of dusty pink, orange and yellow – a sight that photos simply don't do justice. A classic Aussie breakfast of damper and bacon and egg rolls is included, and post-sunrise, you’ll set off on an interpretive tour at the base of Uluṟu. 

Time Out tip: Trust us, it's worth the early wake up!

With long flat desert plains, little to zero light pollution and very low humidity, Uluṟu is famous for being a brilliant place to see stars. At night, the heavens are so bright and plentiful that you'll feel like you're walking through the Milky Way. To get the most out of a stargazing experience in Uluṟu, we recommend doing an astronomy tour, where you'll learn the Indigenous history of these very ancient constellations. 

Time Out tip: Look out for the 'Emu in the Sky' – an Indigenous constellation made of the dark dust clouds within the Milky Way.

While you're in Uluṟu, take a 40-minute drive to Kata Tjuta (formerly known as The Olgas) to explore another remarkable and magnificent red rock formation that's imbued with ancient secrets and deep spiritual meaning. You can choose from the shorter 2.6-kilometre Walpa Gorge or the more challenging 7.4-kilometre Valley of the Winds circuit, each leading you through or ending at the Kata Tjuta dune viewing area, where you’ll enjoy stunning panoramic vistas of the 36 steep-sided domes.

Time Out tip: The flies can be relentless, so we suggest bringing a fly head net for your walk.

Follow the locals to the Outback BBQ & Bar for ice-cold drinks, classic pub fare, free pool and live tunes six nights a week. For a fun, do-it-yourself barbecue experience, head over to the Outback BBQ and Bar. Here, you can pick a cut of meat or fish from the butcher-style counter, then fire it up on the communal barbecues, before loading your plate with sides, including jacket potatoes, pesto pasta salad and charred corn. Next door, the Outback Kiosk is open daily from noon to 9pm, serving casual favourites, like pizzas, fish and chips, and burgers.

Time Out tip: The bar also offers pool tables and regular live music, making it a great spot to kick back after sunset.

Forget about four walls – the Southern Desert sky is your roof for this intimate, open-air dining experience, open exclusively during the cooler months. Tali Wiṟu, meaning 'beautiful dune' in the local Anangu language, offers a sensational five-star, four-course dinner, drawing on native ingredients and flavours – think finger lime caviar, desert succulents, wattleseed gelato and Kakadu plum compote. Paired with Penfold wines and the soothing sounds of a didgeridoo, the only thing that might distract you from the food is the stunning setting – Uluṟu is your dining companion.

Time Out tip: Come hungry as portions are generous.

Hop on the back of a Harley, bop along on a camel, cruise along on a segway or ride high in an all-terrain vehicle. There are countless ways to get around Uluṟu, each promising an experience in itself. We suggest saddling up for a calming camel ride, where you can take in the vast expanse of the desert at a relaxed pace. Uluṟu Camel Tours runs camel train tours daily, including at sunrise and sunset.

Time Out tip: If the tours are fully booked (read: book early), you can still explore the camel farm – Australia’s largest – for free.

If you want to feel like you are on top of the world, take on the Kings Canyon Rim Walk. It's about four hours' drive from Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, and the drive is part of the fun, with long stretches of empty road as far as the eye can see. The six-kilometre Canyon track undulates from sweeping views of Watarrka National Park to the Garden of Eden, an oasis of rare plants and rock holes filled with precious water. The first 500 steps are steep, but then it’s easier going. Warning: it gets pretty hot in the desert, so we’d suggest starting the walk before 9am. The orange and red sandstone looks particularly vibrant during sunrise, so it’s worth the effort to go early.

Time Out tip: Set off in the morning to beat the midday heat!

If you haven’t had enough of the sound and light spectacles at Uluṟu, drive 3.5 hours to Kings Canyon, where you can check out Light Towers. This immersive, outback maze (also designed by Bruce Munro) at the Discovery Resort consists of two 69-metre-tall towers that change colour in tune with sound. Whether you visit at sunrise, sunset or after dark, wandering among this stunning installation beneath the desert stars – all while an ethereal soundtrack plays in the background – is a pretty magical experience. 

Time Out tip: If you're planning a sunset session, consider staying overnight at Discovery Parks Kings Canyon. 

If you don’t stumble upon bush plum (arnguli), native fig (ili) and quandong (wayanu) plants while exploring Kata Tjuṯa National Park, you’re sure to find these ingredients incorporated into nearly every menu in Uluṟu. Keen to learn more or sample these delights? Ayers Rock Resort runs a free, daily Bush Food Experience at 1pm, where you’ll learn to identify, gather and prepare these local bush foods that the Anangu people have survived on for tens of thousands of years. 

Time Out tip: No bookings are needed for this one!

The didgeridoo is thought to be the world’s oldest wind instrument, created by Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory thousands of years ago. Traditionally known as yidaki, this instrument was played only by men during ceremonial occasions, but today it is played by women just as well as men. You can listen to the enchanting sounds of the didgeridoo and play along with clapsticks in a free didgeridoo workshop, held daily at 11am and 2pm at the Outback Hotel.

Time Out tip: The didgeridoo is not traditionally used by Indigenous groups in Central Australia, but has been introduced to the area since. 

Soaring above Uluṟu, Kata Tjuṯa, Lake Amadeus and Kings Canyon is the definition of a bucket-list trip. Fly Uluṟu offers scenic plane or helicopter flights, giving you a rare bird's-eye view of these iconic Australian landscapes, accompanied by expert pilot commentary. Much of what you see is off-limits from the ground, making this a super memorable experience.

Time Out tip: For extra wow-factor, book a sunrise and sunset flight and watch the sky explode in spectacular colours.

If watching an Uluru sunrise is high on your bucket list (which it should be), you’ll want to stay somewhere that guarantees beauty sleep before the big show. Enter Sails in the Desert. Named after the striking white, sail-shaped awnings that shade the property, Sails is the only five-star hotel at Ayers Rock Resort – the major complex housing all the accommodation, shops and restaurants, just a ten-minute drive from Uluru. Complimentary perks include airport transfers, a shuttle bus, pool access and cultural activities.

Time Out tip: You can catch the free shuttle from reception to the town centre or any of the properties within Ayers Rock Resort. It runs every 20 minutes from 10.30am to 12.30am daily.

If you're after glamping with a capital G, you can't look past the otherworldly wonder of Longitude 131º. Direct private view of Uluru? Tick. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the desert stars? Tick. Five-star lodgings fit for an earthy rockstar? Tick. Although this glamping experience edges more on being a five-star resort than a humble tent, a tent it still is, and a pretty epic one at that. If you pitch up in one of their 16 raised tents, you'll get an incredible view of Uluru, spa treatments, and free-flowing artisan food and liquor. If you're feeling very fancy, you can book the 'Dune Pavilion', an immense luxury suite with deep rainwater bathtubs and a private plunge pool that has a view of both Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) and Uluru. Priceless.

Time Out tip: Those keen to camp without the hefty pricetag can pitch a tent at Ayers Rock Campground. Prices start at $40 per night.